Michael B. Brough founded the Brough Law Firm (now The Brough Law Firm, PLLC) in 1988 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Today, the Principals of the firm are G. Nicholas (Nick) Herman, Robert E. (Bob) Hornik, and T.C. Morphis, Jr. The Associate Attorneys in the firm are Albert M. Benshoff and Kevin R. Hornik. The firm has offices in Chapel Hill and Concord, North Carolina, and its practice is primarily devoted to representing local governments in state and federal court in areas of land use law, civil rights defense, employment law, general representation, and litigation and appeals. In addition, the firm also assists numerous land-use developers, individuals, and corporations in a broad range of municipal and land use matters, such as seeking development approvals or engaging in litigation at the trial and appellate levels.

The Brough Law Firm, PLLC has been named a Tier 1 firm in the areas of Land Use and Zoning Law by US News and World Report for 2016.

The firm serves as general counsel for Aberdeen, Cameron, Carrboro, Carthage, Creedmoor, Foxfire Village, Hamlet, Hillsborough, Hoffman, Mocksville, Monroe, Oakboro, Pinebluff, Robbins, Roxboro, Stem, Vass, and Whispering Pines. The firm also provides special litigation services for the Town of Cary, City of Concord, and Currituck County, and regularly assists numerous other cities and counties throughout the State in matters ranging from ordinance drafting to litigation.

The firm’s private clients include commercial and residential developers, individuals, citizen groups, businesses, and other corporations. We advise and represent these clients on a broad range of planning, zoning and land-use related issues such as rezonings, variances, special and conditional use permits, annexations, condemnations, vested rights, subdivision development, historic district designations, and regulations under the N.C. Coastal Area Management Act, as well as other land use and environmental laws.

The members of the firm have extensive experience in litigation and appellate matters, and have argued over 130 cases in the N.C. Supreme Court, N.C. Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. In addition, various members of the firm have taught on the adjunct faculties at the University of North Carolina School of Law, North Carolina Central University School of Law, Duke University School of Law, Campbell University School of Law, Elon University, National Institute for Trial Advocacy, and at the School of Government in Chapel Hill. Collectively, the members of the firm have published 13 books and monographs, and over 80 articles (including Continuing Legal Education papers) on various areas of law in which the firm practices.